2011 New York Jets Draft Needs
Written by Steve Janus
For a second straight season the New York Jets came up one game short of the Super Bowl, falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. New York finished the regular-season second in the AFC East at 11-5 behind a strong running game and tough defense.
New York had just four picks in the 2010 draft, as they decided to trade away picks to acquire receiver Santonio Holmes and corner Antonio Cromartie. They spent their first round pick on corner Kyle Wilson, but he failed to live up to expectations in his first season. The Jets used their second round pick on tackle Vladmir Ducasse, but he also struggled and is more likely suited to play guard.
The Jets head into the 2011 season with a number of key players that will be free agents, leaving them with plenty of options in the draft. Here is a look at the five positions I feel the Jets need to address if they want to take that next step and make it to the Super Bowl. Find out who we have the Jets taking in the first round in our 2011 NFL Mock draft.
Outside Linebacker: Adding an outside linebacker who can get to the quarterback is the one thing I feel the Jets have to come away with in the draft. Most of the sacks the Jets created in 2010 were a result of their outstanding coverage. Look for the Jets to go after a guy like Brooks Reed of Arizona if he falls to them at No. 30.
Safety: Because the Jets have such outstanding corners, they are able to hide their lack of playmakers at the safety position. Jim Leonhard is a solid veteran, but is coming off a broken leg in 2010. The Jets’ other three candidates are Eric Smith, Brondey Pool, and James Ihedigbo who are all free agents. If the Jets feel there isn’t a pass rusher worth taking with their first round pick, they could have their eyes on Rahim Moore of UCLA.
Wide Receiver: Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards, and Brad Smith are all free agents. While I expect the Jets to at least bring back Holmes, depth at this position will be needed if Edwards and Smith depart. New York will likely look for value later in the draft. Two possibilities could be Jerrel Jernigan of Troy in the third or Titus Young of Boise State in the fourth.
Offensive line: The Jets cut tackle Damien Woody, and his leading backup Wayne Hunter is a free agent. I’m also not sold on left guard Matt Slauson. With the emphasis this team puts on the running game, I would be shocked if they didn’t add some depth to the line. They will have the option of locking up a right tackle for years to come with their first round pick.
Nose Tackle: The Jets have decided to part ways with Kris Jenkins, leaving Sione Pouha the only legit option at the nose tackle position. While Pouha did a respectable job filling in for Jenkins in 2010, the Jets will be thinking about an upgrade. They could solve this problem right away and draft Phil Taylor of Baylor with their first pick, or wait and take a risk on someone in the later rounds.
Individual NFL Team Mock Drafts
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